Private Practice » Dr. Julie Hanks, LCSWhttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice
Just another Psych Central Professional Sites siteFri, 31 Jul 2015 20:39:40 +0000en-UShourly14 Questions To Ask Yourself When Hiring a New Therapisthttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/07/4-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-hiring-a-new-therapist/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/07/4-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-hiring-a-new-therapist/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 17:14:38 +0000http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=7355One of the wonderful challenges that comes from having an abundance of business is the need to add new additional clinicians to your practice. But how exactly do you know who will be a good fit? How can you be sure to make the best choice that will benefit both the clients and your practice?

Not too long after opening Wasatch Family Therapy, I had created relationships in my community and built my online presence to the point that the demand for my services exceeded the supply I could provide. In other words, I needed to hire new therapists! Since I do not have a background in business, the process was entirely new to me, but thankfully I found that it happened quite naturally. I identified a few key criteria (beyond simply having required credentials and experience) that a candidate must possess in order for me to feel like he/she was a good enough match to hire. Here are 4 questions to ask yourself when meeting with an applicant who you may potentially bring in to your practice:

Do I like him/her?

It may seem obvious, but it’s critical that you feel comfortable with an individual who may be working for you. If you do not like to be in his/her presence, why would a client? It goes without saying that people skills are invaluable in this profession; it’s what we do! Look for someone who puts you at ease, is warm and inviting, and who you find yourself attaching with. Be mindful of the emotional climate of your practice; you want to bring someone in who will work well with others, avoid drama, and of course help clients through their emotional struggles. Whether or not I genuinely like someone is the most important factor determining if I hire him/her (interestingly, this same criteria is also usually first on the list of what a client looks for in a therapist).

Were they born to be a therapist?

When looking to add to my practice, I look for individuals who I can sense were born to do therapy. It’s common for practitioners to work with a lot of graduate level interns, and there are a select few who truly stand out; people who are naturally thoughtful, reflective, and sensitive to others’ needs and feelings. I want someone who’s always had the intuition and instinct of a therapist who just had to go through the official training to actually become one.

Are they emotionally stable?

This question is admittedly a bit delicate. While no one has it all together all the time, it naturally follows that someone who has a handle on his/her emotional issues can better assist clients in managing their own. Good therapists often use difficult past life experiences to relate to and help clients, so being “emotionally stable” doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve never struggled mental health or relationship problems; quite the opposite can be true! To use an analogy, you cannot be a tour guide for other people to places you’ve never traveled. Still, I need my therapists to be healthy in order to best serve our clients.

Do they reflect the values of my practice?

As the owner of my practice, I need therapists who work for me to be similar to me in many ways. This is not to say, of course, that I am wanting someone with the exact personality, training, and expertise that I have. Still, there needs to be a continuity of approach and therapy style common to our clinicians. Throughout the years, we’ve had inquiring individuals wanting to see me specifically after hearing me speak or learning about me through social media. When I don’t have an available opening to see someone new, I like to be able to state my confidence in another therapist and tell the prospective client that I’ve hand-selected a particular counselor that I wholeheartedly trust to do good work. I suggest that practitioners looking to hire new therapists identify a few specific values that are key to the philosophy and setting of their private practice to look for in applicants.

What do YOU look for when hiring new clinicians?

Let me know!

This post was adapted from an interview I did with Joe Sanok, LPC on” Practice of the Practice.” Click here for access to the full podcast.

Want to grow your practice and make a difference beyond the therapy office? Check out my NEW Rock The Media School for Therapists – a 6-week online media + social media training designed for health and mental health practitioners. Learn how to build your media and your online presence so you can share your passion and practice with thousands of people! I hope you’ll join me. Fall cohort begins Sept. 7, 2015.

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone would provide us with a brief checklist of things we need to do in order to comply with HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)? I strongly recommend that you not wait for that to happen. HIPAA was purposely constructed to be flexible so that both large hospitals and solo practitioners would be able to comply. You wouldn’t want to follow the same checklist as a hospital would you? Further, because HIPAA now covers electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), it’s important that it be flexible since technology continually evolves.

That said, there are some basic parameters and processes to be aware of. Once these concepts are understood, HIPAA no longer seems to be this overwhelming, unintelligible, monstrosity. It takes on a role similar to progress notes and other paperwork; that stuff that gets in the way of our client time, but we know we need to do it.

Here then, is a brief summary of the most important things to know about HIPAA:

It’s More Than Just the HIPAA Privacy Notices

HIPAA started out in 1996 with the Privacy Rule, which regulates the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) by Covered Entities (CEs). Protected Health Information is any data about health care that can be linked to a specific individual. Covered Entities are health plans/insurers, clearinghouses, and providers who engage in “Covered Transactions”. For most mental health clinicians, that means filing electronic insurance claims (even if you don’t, be sure to read on). This is the part of HIPAA that brought us the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, where providers detail for clients how and when they will use and/or disclose their PHI.

In 2003, the Security Rule was added in order to set standards for securing ePHI. It requires that CEs establish Administrative, Technical, and Physical safeguards to ensure the privacy of client data. This was further enhanced by the HITECH Act (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) in 2009 and the Final (Omnibus) Rule in 2013.

I’ve found that most therapists have the Privacy Rule down pat, so in the following sections, I’ll focus on clarifying information from the Security Rule.

HIPAA Security Compliance Is An Ongoing Process

One of the primary components of complying with the Security Rule is completing a Risk Analysis and Management Plan. This is a process of documenting reasonably anticipated threats to the security of ePHI (i.e. theft, loss, fire) and a plan for dealing with those threats. This is required to be reinforced through a documented set of Policies and Procedures (yes, even if you’re a solo practitioner). Therapists wouldn’t dream of assessing a client at intake and then never re-visiting that assessment. Similarly this Risk Analysis process needs to be re-visited on a regular basis. This ensures that new technologies and threats are addressed appropriately.

Software and Devices Can’t Be HIPAA Compliant

If you listen to the marketing speak, you might get the impression that a CE can be in compliance as long as they choose software and devices that are “HIPAA Compliant”. The problem is that such things do not exist!

Only Covered Entities or Business Associates can be compliant with HIPAA by engaging in the processes described above. A Business Associate (BA) is any third party that a CE shares PHI with. This could be a billing agent, an EHR vendor, or a telehealth application vendor. In creating this relationship, the CE is required to establish a Business Associate Agreement with the BA, outlining the responsibilities of each. The good news is that, due to the Omnibus Rule, this requires that the BA is held to the same standards for compliance as the CE. To be clear, this doesn’t release the CE from all responsibility. They still need to conduct a Risk Assessment. However, it’s often the case (especially with EHR) that using a third party vendor will greatly decrease the scope of (read: amount of work involved in) the CEs process.

(Side Note: It’s important to note that financial transactions are exempt from HIPAA, so typically financial institutions don’t fit the definition of Business Associate. However, there are some circumstances to be aware of, such as some of the features offered by services like Square).

But I Don’t Take Insurance So I Don’t Have To Worry About HIPAA

It’s true that, if you (or your billing representative) are not filing electronic insurance claims, you likely don’t fit the definition of Covered Entity. Technically then, you don’t have to comply with HIPAA. You should be aware of and consider the following, however:

Standard of Care – HIPAA is becoming recognized as a “Standard of Care” when it comes to Privacy and Security. If how you handle privacy and security ever comes into question, there’s a solid chance that HIPAA will be the measuring stick for whether you’re doing a good job.

Ethics – Our codes of ethics require that we keep client information confidential. In line with the first point, what standards can we use to prove that we are doing so, especially with ePHI?

State Law – Be sure to understand your state laws regarding client privacy. If you’re in Texas, for example, your state laws are in some cases even more stringent than HIPAA.

Best Practices – Similar to the idea of Standard of Care, the set of requirements in HIPAA are considered “Best Practices” for securing client data. While HIPAA may seem bloated and overdone in parts, the core requirements make sense and are a good path for significantly reducing the risks to privacy.

Rob Reinhardt is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in North Carolina and CEO of Tame Your Practice. In addition to helping therapists integrate technology into their practice, he is the column editor for Counseling Today magazine and creator of Describe, a therapy tool appropriate for individuals and families of all ages!

I’m excited to present a blog challenge that has to do with one of my favorite topics: relationships. Specifically, you’ll have the chance to explore the idea of how a person can maintain his/her own space (physically and emotionally) while also being in a relationship.

[Headline] Come up with a headline to give your readers an idea of what is to come. Here are a few examples:

[Strong Intro] Write an introductory paragraph to explain the topic more and lay the scene for your main points. You may write your own or use the following:

Movies and pop culture often portray two people in love as inseparable and completely enamored with one another. Some struggle when they realize that the experience of real life can be quite different. The truth is that almost everyone in a relationship needs a little personal space and even time away. But how can you get a breather while still maintaining your relationship? Here are some reasons why space is important and also ways to create boundaries and still keep your connection strong:

[Scanable Content] Break up your content to make it more digestible and easy to read. Under each point, flesh out your idea by elaborating on your thoughts.

1. Tune In To Your Feelings

Acknowledging your emotions that you need a little space in your relationship is the first step. Maybe you’re feeling a bit cut off from other people or are even feeling a bit smothered. Some may be inclined to ignore such feelings or consider them “bad,” but instead express to yourself if you are wanting a bit of a breather from your significant other.

2. Communicate About Your Needs

It may be a bit tricky, but tactfully communicate that you would like to branch out a bit. Be careful to let the other person know that you are not ending the relationship, but just want to find ways to enrich your life and experience. Express how you are feeling, and listen to your love’s response; it’s possible that he/ she is wanting the same thing!

3. Pursue Your Individual Passions

Take time to “get to know yourself” and do something that you enjoy (but perhaps have been neglecting). Go ahead and sign up for that pottery class, or recommit yourself to your exercise regimen that has suffered a bit. Encourage the other person to likewise engage in activities that he/ she likes.

4. Nourish Your Friendships

Although your spouse or significant other is likely your “number one,” remember that no single person can fulfill all of your needs. We as humans are wired to connect, and we have something to learn from different people in our lives. Moreover, there is likely someone in your circle of influence who needs you, so take a break for a day or two and spend an evening with a friend.

5. Come Back Together Stronger Than Before

If you need some space and give yourself permission to take it, you’re practicing self-care and can become even closer to your significant other. Famed German psychologist Erik Erikson explained that “identity precedes intimacy.” Paradoxically, your relationship can be strengthened by developing your self and then creating and maintaining space!

[Strong ending paragraph] Wrap up your post by summarizing your main points to conclude and then possibly offering a further idea or two for readers or a call to action. Here’s an example:

Relationships need a lot to thrive: time, love, honesty, and connection. But each person taking time for him/ herself is an important (and sometimes overlooked) component in creating and maintaining a strong and healthy relationship. Tune in to your feelings, communicate, spend time with your friends and doing what you like, and come back together stronger than before.

Additional reminders about the 2015 blog challenge

Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that’s OK too. Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.

Read, comment, and share other therapist’s articles.

Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @drjuliehanks so I can retweet it.

Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.

Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).

The goal of a professional blog is to provide value to your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective, increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.

I’ve written before about how media interviews (television, podcasts, speaking engagements etc.) can be helpful in educating your community about critical mental health issues, establishing yourself as an expert in your field, and perhaps even gaining new clients (click here to learn more benefits of participating in media interviews). But our expertise is as clinical counselors, and many therapists have little to no experience with a cameraman, bright lights, and the general “show-biz” aspect of the process. Over the years, I’ve noticed a few common mishaps that some individuals (including myself) have made. In hopes of preventing our readers from making these same mistake, here are 10 common interview mistakes therapists make:

1. They don’t see the value in media presence

Some clinicians may not see the purpose or value of sitting down with someone and having a formal interview about a topic concerning mental health, relationships, or some other aspect relating to their niche. “Wouldn’t my time be better spent doing clinical work or working to attract new prospects?” they may wonder. While it’s true that you must work to balance your responsibilities, participating in the occasional interview is worth your time. And there is also the possibility that interviews become more frequent and perhaps even becomes a paid opportunity for you. Then it will certainly be valuable as an income stream.

2. They begin by promoting their practice

While media interviews are a great way to get the word out about your therapy practice, avoid being pushy or overly promotional. Don’t mention your services first thing. Instead, present your message, then end by giving the name and contact information (usually the website) of your practice. Viewers and listeners will want to hear your thoughts before they are interested in taking the next step. So let your work speak for itself, then close the interview by concisely talking about your practice.

3. They prepare too much material

Time is of the essence in interviews, and you’ll have a very specific time allotted to communicate your message. Some therapists may fear running out of things to say, so they prepare an abundance of material. But this technique can backfire, as it may cause you to be too long-winded, neglect valuable pieces of your message, rush to try to fit everything in, or cause you to run out of time. As your prepare your talking points, be mindful of your time limit and even practice your interview in that same time frame.

4. They expect those in production to help them manage nerves

There are many individuals who work together to make sure the interview goes smoothly. The person conducting the interview, the camera operators, sound techs, etc. Everyone has a designated job and are usually very busy in their own responsibilities. If you are feeling nervous about an interview (particularly if it is your first one), know that you probably can’t expect these people to be able to help calm your worry. Trust your own self and perhaps bring a friend along if you think you may need moral support.

5. They don’t switch out of therapist mode to sound byte mode

The way we speak in an interview is quite different than the way we speak to a client (it’s interesting that when we are in the therapist chair, we are the ones asking questions, but in an interview, we are being asked the questions). Good therapists often speak slowly, reflect back, pause often, and go deeper. However, good TV interview skills require the opposite: speak quickly, don’t reflect back, keep the interview moving, and stay on target. Someone may take something you say as a quote to use in an article or to simply remember, so try to make the things you say somewhat “digestible” and even catchy (while not being gimmicky, of course). Read here for specific ways to keep your message clear, concise, and effective.

6. They don’t ask to be invited to interview again

If your interview goes well, there’s no reason to not do one again in the future! Building that relationship takes time and will not happen in a single media exposure. Self-advocate and ask to be interviewed again by a certain outlet or production crew. The worst they can say is no! Simply asking to be interviewed again has helped me secure and maintain ongoing interview gigs.

7. They don’t maximize their interview

An interview is worthless if others do not view/ listen to/ read it. Be sure to maximize it by sharing it via your social media outlets. For example, when I am interviewed for a television segment, I always obtain the link, share it on Facebook and Twitter, then upload the video to my Youtube account and my blog. I want to make sure others know about it. Don’t be shy about letting your followers know that you’ve given your professional insight in a formal setting. Remember, they are interested in what you have to say!

8. They speak in psychobabble

As mentioned previously, in an interview, you’re not speaking to a client, but you’re not speaking to a psychology professor, either. Make sure you phrase your ideas in ways that others can understand. There’s nothing worse than a pretentious expert talking over others’ heads. Though you want to establish credibility, your point is not to prove how smart you are, but instead to educate viewers on a specific topic. Don’t “dumb down” your message, but avoid using too many theoretical terms.

9. Theydon’t do their homework

It’s important to do some research about the media outlet before your interview. Ask yourself: 1) Who is the audience?, 2) What is the tone? 3) What is the format? 4) Who is the host or interviewer? 5) How can I best serve their audience? Once you’ve gathered this information, use it to inform the content that you prepare and deliver in the interview.

10. They don’t specify how they would like to be introduced

Prior to your interview, be very specific about how you would like to be introduced and referred to during the interview. Make sure to include the full name of your private practice. Also, make sure you request that they mention your website, and if it’s a TV interview, ask them to display your website address in a visual banner. You are donating your time in exchange for the opportunity to talk about your passion, and in exchange, you get to build trust with your community. So be very clear about who you are, what you do, and how the audience can find out more about your work.

]]>http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/06/10-media-interview-mistakes-therapists-make/feed/010 Reasons to Become a Media-Savvy Therapisthttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/06/10-reasons-to-become-a-media-savvy-therapist/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/06/10-reasons-to-become-a-media-savvy-therapist/#commentsSun, 14 Jun 2015 04:30:28 +0000http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=7160About 8-9 years ago, I felt a pull toward gaining media and social media skills and expertise. At the time, I wasn’t sure why...or how. In hindsight, I now see the clear benefits of my media visibility for my private practice and for me as a professional. I also had no idea how fun it would be to build relationships (with producers, journalists, reporters, TV hosts, etc.), educate my community, and share my message and expertise with thousands of people.

This decision to become media-savvy has altered the course of my professional life in exciting and new ways. Because my practice has grown so much (3 locations, 20 employees) and requires more management, because I’m increasingly involved in media work and content creation, and because it felt like the right thing to do, I have retired from clinical work. I now focus on writing, private practice business consulting, earning my PhD, and spending time with my family. These opportunities would not have been possible had I not acquired social media skills.

Reflecting on my career (thus far), I want to share with you some tangible benefits of becoming proficient with (social) media and maintaining an online presence. Here are 10 things you can do by becoming a media-savvy therapist:

1) Educate Your Community; Educate The World

The mental health field is by nature a helping profession. We became therapists to help people who are struggling in some aspect of their lives, right? One of the biggest ways to do is this by educating individuals. No matter your area of expertise (marriage therapy, addiction, depression, etc.), you have valuable insight that you can share with your community to serve them and better their lives. By embracing media (TV, radio, print) and newer technologies (blogging, podcasts, social media), your message can be amplified exponentially, causing you to reach a greater audience.

2) Grow Your Practice (even during an economic downturn!)

I founded my private practice (Wasatch Family Therapy) in 2002 and consider myself an early adopter of technology. We created a website not long after we opened and have fully embraced and utilized social media as the years have gone by. To say that this has grown our practice is an understatement: maintaining a strong online presence has beenour number one strategy in acquiring new clients. What’s more is that we now refer out over half of the individuals who seek our services (click here to read more about how our practice grew even in the economic downturn of 2008).

3) Increase Your Credibility Through Social Proof of Expertise

As you use your platform(s) of choice (blog, Facebook, Google+, etc.) to create content and build your body of work, you will in time gain followers who are interested in what you have to say. This will establish your social relevance and up your credibility. Others now view you as an expert and someone to be trusted. This can open up doors for you professionally, just like it has done for me! (read here about how gaining a social media following has brought me valuable career opportunities).

4) Employ a Fee-for-Service Model

Because I am familiar to more people, I have been able build a fee-for-service practice. This has led to increased income and has kept my clinicians from having to deal with the stress and burden of insurance companies. A private pay model also helps provide better quality therapy for clients. And once again, it’s due in large part to our strong media presence that we were able to “break up with managed care.”

5) Raise Visibility For Your Profession

We as therapists often lament the fact that mental health issues don’t receive as much airtime as they deserve (though thankfully, this seems to be changing). Your media skills can help bring these topics to the forefront for your friends, family, and followers. For example, NASW has featured my work in their media news and even invited me to do national webinars. Good media interviews add visibility and educate the public about your profession in general and also about your specific expertise.

There is so much more to being in this field than seeing clients. My online presence has afforded me the opportunities to write for major websites and blogs, consult others about how to best build their practice, and even write a book (currently working on my second one)! By growing your media skills, you too can diversify your professional activities and create multiple streams of income for yourself.

7) Create Content For Your Blog

The information you access through your social media platforms can give you great inspiration for your blog. For example, when I do a TV interview, I then post it on my site, which improves SEO and provides new and engaging content. I’ve found that because of my technology connections, I never am lacking for material to blog or write about.

8) Reach MORE People With Your Message, Passion, & Expertise

The power that social media provides to reach others is truly unparalleled. I can now talk with hundreds or thousands of people at one time with each interview, not to mention the many more who will watch, listen, or read it online later. You can infinitely expand your outreach and get your message out there by utilizing media and social technologies.

9) Add Incentive for Additional Clinicians To Join Your Practice

My media presence and relationships have given other clinicians a reason to work for me instead of opening their own practice. So individuals who potentially may have been my competition are now on my team! Your media presence (blog, interviews, Facebook, etc.) can attract new therapists who know about your vision, values, and niche from what they’ve seen online.

10) Gain Recognition by Professional Organizations

My media appearances and online presence has garnered the attention of reputable organizations, and I’m grateful to have received some notable accolades. For example, I was named #1 online influencer for depression, and #2 mental health online influencer by ShareCare (a social media health company founded by Dr. Oz, Discovery Communications, and WebMD’s Jeff Arnold), and received the 2015 National Association of Social Worker Award for my website JulieHanks.com.

How can YOU improve your media-savviness?

And what great opportunities await you as you do?

Join my upcoming media training. Click the graphic below to get on the list!

]]>http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/06/10-reasons-to-become-a-media-savvy-therapist/feed/0Multiple Income Stream Success Story #3: Teachinghttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/05/multiple-income-stream-success-story-3-teaching/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/05/multiple-income-stream-success-story-3-teaching/#commentsSun, 31 May 2015 06:49:50 +0000http://blogs.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=5428As we highlight more opportunities to use things that you enjoy doing and instances where others request your services to generate multiple income streams, I am sharing stories of other practitioners who have found ways to do just that:

We often forget that we have achieved at least a master’s level education that can qualify us to teach others. There are many opportunities out there for teaching. Consider these options if teaching others is a passion for you. Teaching university or college courses, online courses or webinars, community workshops, or professional trainings.

Getting started with teaching can be very easy; start with who you know. Contact your alma mater or other nearby colleges and universities. Many universities have positions available for adjunct faculty to teach entry level classes or to offer professional trainings to students in your field. Keep in mind, these types of teaching commitments usually last for extended periods, so be sure that they work for your timeline and make sense financially.

Presenting or developing online courses or webinars can be an easy, passive source of income. Once a training has been developed, you can easily record it and make it available for download or schedule various presentation times to virtually present it to others. This is an excellent area where your expertise can lead you to topics or needed courses. It also allows you the opportunity
to reach well beyond the scope of your geographical location.

Starting small can often lead you to bigger opportunities and income growth. Consider providing small trainings at your practice for continuing education credits. Pam Dyson, MA, LPC, did just that when starting her play therapy trainings. When Pam originally started with trainings, it worked out to about 25% of her income. As those trainings became more successful Pam grew those trainings to the point where they provide 75% of her income. Pam shares this about her experience in growing teaching as an income stream.

“In 2010, I became an Approved Provider for the Association for Play Therapy. I began by offering a day long play therapy training, once a month, out of my private practice office, where attendees could earn the clock hours needed to become an RPT. I set up a website to promote the trainings, and within a year I was at capacity for each training. To meet the demand, I began offering four day-long trainings per month.”

Community workshops are another area where teaching can be a beneficial source of income. Workshops are excellent because they often don’t take much time to develop and also only last for brief periods. In my practice, we have sometimes taken areas or groups of individuals who have a need for instruction in a particular area and turned that into a workshop. I have done this when I see a consistent or similar problem in my clientele. At one point, I was working with many women who were suffering from a lack of sex drive. I developed a workshop for cultivating desire in marriage that I would present for a few hours every few months.

I encourage you to keep in mind doing those things that you are passionate about. Teaching may not be your cup of tea, but there are plenty of other ways to generate multiple streams of income. If you’re still having trouble coming up with something, refer back to my 5 Key Questions to help you get started.

Therapist Blog Challenge #20 deals with the sometimes misunderstood topic of the mental challenges that athletes may experience.

[Headline] Come up with a headline to give your readers an idea of what is to come. Here are a few examples:

Athletes’ Unique Struggles With Mental Illness

Why Athletes Are Not Immune to Mental Health Challenges

Depression and Anxiety in Athletic Competitors

[Strong Intro] Write an introductory paragraph to explain more the topic and lay the scene for your main points. You may write your own or use the following:

Athletes are the envy of many in our society. Whether they’re professionals, college players, or even high schoolers who excel in sports, it’s not uncommon to desire their physical strength, attractive appearance, and mental grit. But what some may not understand is that athletes are just as vulnerable to mental health problems as the rest of the population. In fact, they often face unique struggles concerning their psychological well-being. According to some estimates, as many as 1 in 5 athletes experiences some form of a mood disorder. Here are 4 common reasons why athletes may struggle with mental illness:

[Scanable Content] Break up your content to make it more digestible and easy to read. Under each point, flesh out your idea by elaborating on your thoughts.

Athletes Often Tie Their Self-Worth To Their Performance

Athletes may experience feelings of worthlessness or extreme disappointment if they lose a game or match or otherwise do not perform at the level they desire. As losing (and even failing) is an inherent part of sports, this can occur quite frequently and therefore take an emotional toll that may leave these individuals prone to situational depression.

Frequent Injuries

Depending on the specific sport of event, some athletes may get hurt quite regularly. Head injuries (particularly concussions) sometimes seen with football players can lead to depression. Also, injuries that sideline athletes can cause them to feel incomplete or incompetent, which may further trouble them emotionally; if sports is what an individual excels at, he/she may feel like there is nothing else without them.

Associate Mental Illness With Weakness

As athletics emphasizes strength, having an “off-day” or being otherwise psychologically low may come off as weakness. Coaches and players may exacerbate this idea, and athletes can feel even worse about themselves if they are experiencing extreme sadness, anxiety, or other uncomfortable emotions resulting from a mental illness. There is already enough societal stigma concerning this topic, and this may even be more so in the world of athletics.

High Stress and Pressure

Everyone experiences the stress of everyday life, but that felt during an athletic event is even more intense. As an athlete’s paycheck (and pride) depends on their performance, the stress and anxiety can sometimes prove too much and create a heavy psychological burden.

[Strong ending paragraph]

Wrap up your post by summarizing your main points to conclude and then possibly offering a further idea or two for readers to investigate on their own. Here’s an example:

The nature of sports and competitiveness presents unique challenges for athletes. Thankfully, we can raise awareness of this issue in the hopes or reaching more individuals who may need professional help. Visit the International Society for Sports Psychiatry (ISSP) for more information.

Additional reminders about the 2015 blog challenge

Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that’s OK too. Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.

Read, comment, and share other therapist’s articles.

Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.

Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.

Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).

The goal of a professional blog is to provide value to your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective, increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.

Today we’re looking at number two on this list, Consulting. There are many ways a private practitioner can offer their knowledge for consulting purposes. These include: consulting with professionals, mental health agencies, corporate trainings, media contributing, and forensic consulting.

This success story is my own.

I love helping therapists create a practice that is energizing, fun, and profitable. After I had been in private practice for about 7 years and had grown from a solo to a private clinic, other private practitioners started asking me to share how I developed a clinic that didn’t rely on managed care, how to build a social media presence, and how to land media interviews. I started this blog Private Practice Toolbox on PsychCentral.com in July 2011 and started presenting on practice building strategies and began a consulting business Julie Hanks, LLC.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you’d like to add consulting as an additional income stream:

1) In what areas are other mental health professionals asking me for feedback, training, and information?

2) List 3 areas of expertise and professional passions. Which businesses, groups, or individuals people are looking for information related to my specialty area?

3) Which topics are you constantly researching, reading, and talking about simply because you enjoy learning more?

My hope is that these questions prompt you to brainstorm some ways that you could incorporate consulting into your professional life. If you are currently providing consulting, please let me know about it by posting about your consulting services! Feel free to add a link, too.

]]>http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/05/multiple-income-stream-success-story-2-consulting/feed/15 Reasons to Network With Other Therapistshttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/05/5-reasons-to-network-with-other-therapists/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/05/5-reasons-to-network-with-other-therapists/#commentsTue, 26 May 2015 00:25:31 +0000http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=7042As therapists, it’s easy to become isolated. We see our clients, fill out paperwork, perhaps read a book or two to brush up on certain skills, then go home. I certainly don’t mean to imply that the work of a clinical counselor is rote or is not stimulating, but as the nature of therapy is very private, it’s quite possible to get into a routine that greatly limits our interaction with other professionals.

Through my 13 years in private practice and 20+ years in the mental health field, I have come to understand the power of networking with like-minded professionals. Networking is cultivating relationships to facilitate the exchange of information (which may be related to the nature of the profession and/or to career and employment). For our purposes, it simply means being in frequent and meaningful contact with other therapists! This strategy has greatly benefited my practice and also me personally and professionally in numerous ways.

Here are 5 reasons to get out of your office and begin networking with other therapists:

1) Client Referrals

Perhaps you’ve recently opened your practice and need to build your clientele. If you know others in the area and have begun to create those relationships, you have a valuable resource to draw upon. Introduce yourself to other practitioners in your area in case they know anyone seeking a therapist with your speciality (it’s not self-serving; it’s smart). Conversely, if you have a thriving practice and have the wonderful dilemma of having a higher demand for your services than you are able to provide, generously referring out is a way you can serve individuals even though you are not seeing them as clients. Network to learn of others you can contact if/ when this occurs.

2) Combat Loneliness

We teach our clients about the importance of self-care, but are we tending to our own emotional needs as well? We understand from attachment theory that we innately need connection with others; isolation is quite literally a form of torture, and many therapists I’ve worked with feel a real sense of disconnection seeing only clients all day. Reach out to others in order to fight loneliness and feel emotionally supported (read more here about this idea).

3) Career Opportunities

Beyond your work as a clinician, you can use your skills and talents to serve your community in other ways (such as through writing or consulting), and many of these opportunities present themselves through your relationships with others. Perhaps a colleague has suggested or inspired you to expand your activities. Networking has brought me personally many opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise had. It’s quite amazing the possibilities that can open up to you if you devote time and energy to cultivating those professional connections.

4) Collaboration

Going along with the previous point, finding ways to apply your skills other than by seeing clients is often best done in collaborative efforts. Combining your knowledge and experience with others in the mental health field is a great way to enrich and contribute to the professional community while simultaneously expanding your outreach. This very blog is infinitely more valuable because it contains not only my experiences, but those of others with whom I’ve networked and created relationships. Reaching out and working with others in the field can enhance your career accomplishments.

5) Communicate About What’s New

If you’re sitting in your office all day with only minimal contact with the outside world, it’s unlikely that you’ll hear about new developments in the field. But through continual networking and staying in touch with other clinicians, you can become aware of and familiar with new therapies and strategies that may enhance your practice. Regular contact with others can help you keep abreast of these new ideas, and you as well can offer your feedback on current topics and controversies relating to therapy.

What are reasons YOU network with others?

How has networking benefitted you?

Stay tuned for an upcoming post about therapist-friendly strategies to effectively network.

http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/05/5-reasons-to-network-with-other-therapists/feed/0Multiple Income Streams Success Story #1: Supervisionhttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/05/multiple-income-streams-success-story-1-supervision/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/05/multiple-income-streams-success-story-1-supervision/#commentsSun, 24 May 2015 00:24:06 +0000http://blogs.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=5413In the past, I’ve written about increasing revenue using multiple forms of income (income not related to direct client hours). I offered five key questions to find areas where you might be able to enjoy adding some extra income to your private practice. In this series, I want to share the successes of private practitioners who have used these concepts to find areas that not only increase their income, but help reach their ideal clients and also fuel their passions.

Amy Tatsumi, MA, LPC, found that she could garner additional income and give back to the psychotherapy community by providing supervision to others training in her field. Amy estimates that 25-30% of her income comes from supervision and consultation services.

“I believe that supervision and consultation are the biggest ways that I can give back as a therapist. Supporting clinicians in their journey to become sound, connected, and grounded psychotherapists has a powerful ripple effect. The supervisee, as well as all of their future clients, are impacted by the supervision process in their growth and development. In my private practice, I offer both individual and group clinical supervision and consultation for post graduate candidates and post license and seasoned practitioners in art therapy, counseling, and psychotherapy.”

You might find that the fee you can charge for supervision is similar to your hourly clinical rate. I recommend researching what the standard rates are for supervisors in your area. Be sure that you are meeting all the qualifications for supervising a particular discipline as requirements differ depending on the field (social work, professional counseling, psychology, marriage & family therapy) and on in which state you practice. It is common that supervisors meet requirements for a minimum number of years of licensure or have specialized training as a supervisor. It’s also important to research and understand which groups of trainees you should or should not supervise.

Income from supervision can be accomplished in a few ways. I have found in my own practice that hiring interns to meet with clients has been a successful way of creating additional income for the practice. It allows your practice to see more clients than only having one provider. You can also provide direct supervision to clinicians from other agencies. There are many times when clinicians may not have access to the type of supervisor necessary to meet the licensing requirements. They must then seek someone who can provide that. You can also provide supervision for other agencies themselves. Agencies may find that they have a need for someone to supervise employees for similar reasons that clinicians may seed outside supervision. Creating a relationship with an agency for supervision could be a consistent income stream. Consider all your options, then implement the style that works best for you.

If supervision isn’t the income source you’re looking for, don’t worry; I’ll be sharing other success stories and ideas for multiple avenues for revenue. I’d love to hear from you about areas where you have found the opportunity to generate income and, hopefully, some excitement for you.